Kawa' bunga dudes!
By TMX Archives on 14th Jan 11
The much anticipated, 17 round Monster Energy AMA Supercross series kicked-off this weekend in front of a sell-out crowd at Anaheim's Angel Stadium in California.
And with all the big guns in the mix, this opening round was sure to produce some awesome racing. Back on the line after injury and ready to pile the pressure on reigning Champ Ryan Dungey was Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto and Yamaha's James Stewart, joined by the likes of Mike Alessi , reigning Western Lites Champ Jake Weimer, and former champ Chad Reed. However, on the night it was an all-green affair as Kawasaki led every lap of each class with Ryan Villopoto and Kawasaki's Josh Hansen claiming the top spot in their respective classes.
Grabbing the holeshot in the 450 Main event was Kawasaki's Ivan Tedesco. Tedesco held strong at the front for the opening three laps before team mate VillIopoto slid through to take over at the front to lead for the remainder of the race with no real challenges from any of his rivals. Ryan Dungey started in fourth whilst James Stewart and Chad Reed really struggled with poor starts in 17th and 18th respectively, resulting in them getting caught up in the first turn jam and with no other option than slowly pick off slower riders in front of them for the rest of the race.
Dungey meanwhile, battled for three laps with Bret Metcale, then another three laps saw him pass second place Ivan Tedesco, however by this point Villopoto had been out on his own and had built up a substantial lead on his way to the chequered flag.
Stewart continued to pick off riders and eventually claimed third. Not a bad result considering this was his first supercross race since the third round last year. Likewise Villopoto was out for the first time since badly breaking his leg last year at St Louis.
"This is a nice way to start out the season,” said Villopoto. "Starting out this way makes things much easier. I hope I can start putting together some more wins and a championship this year.”
In the opening round of the Supercross Lites series, Broc Tickle grabbed the holeshot on his debut ride aboard Kawasaki and made an impact as he held the front and looked strong for the following eight laps before being passed by Hansen. From then on the pair pulled out a lead on the chasing pack to take a Kawasaki 1-2 at the flag.
"I'm happy to be here and get back on my feet and head down the right path,” said Hansen. I have a great crew around me, and I am really excited about tonight. I have a lot of people to thank for sticking by me. I'm excited for the season.”
Supercross Lites Rookie Tyla Rattray put a good show on in his AMA Supercross to claim third ahead of Suzuki's Martin Davalos in fourth.
Red Bull/ KTM Factory Team rider Ken Roczen gave the AMA Crowd a stylish introduction in the Lites, claiming the fastest lap time in qualifying.
The 16-year-old German World GP Motocross star turned heads with his unique riding style, and despite missing the final practice session due to a heavy crash Roczen fought hard in the main event to finish seventh on the night.
The 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season continues next weekend from Phoenix, Arizona at Chase Field.
AMA & WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Rd 1 – Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California, USA
SUPERCROSS CLASS: 1 Ryan Villopoto (Kaw), 2 Ryan Dungey (Suz), 3 James Stewart (Yam), 4 Trey Canard (Hon), 5 Chad Reed (AUS - Hon), 6 Kevin Windham (Hon), 7 Ivan Tedesco (Kaw), 8 Brett Metcalfe (Suz), 9 Josh Grant (Hon), 10 Andrew Short (KTM), 11 Kyle Chisholm (Yam), 12 Nick Wey (Yam), 13 Kyle Regal (Yam), 14 Mike Alessi (KTM), 15 Jason Thomas (Suz), 16 Justin Brayton (Yam), 17 Chris Blose (Kaw), 18 Matt Boni (Kaw), 19 Davi Millsaps (Yam), 20 Thomas Hahn (Yam).
SERIES STANDINGS after 1 (of 17) rounds: 1 Villopoto 25 points, 2 Dungey 22, 3 Stewart 20, 4 Canard 18, 5 Reed 16, 6 Windham 15, 7 Tedesco 14, 8 Metcalfe 13, 9 Grant 12, 10 Short 11, 11 Chisholm 10, 12 Wey 9, 13 Regal 8, 14 Alessi 7, 15 Thomas 6, 16 Justin Brayton 5, 17 Blose 4, 18 Boni 3, 19 Millsaps 2, 20 Hahn 1,...
SUPERCROSS LITES (West): 1 Joshua Hansen (Kaw), 2 Broc Tickle (Kaw), 3 Tyla Rattray (Kaw), 4 Martin Davalos (Suz), 5 Cole Seely (Hon), 6 Ryan Morais (Suz), 7 Ken Roczen (D - KTM), 8 Travis Baker (Hon), 9 Nick Paluzzi (Yam), 10 Eli Tomac (Hon), 11 Antonio Balbi (BR - Kaw), 12 Ben Evans (Kaw), 13 Kyle Cunningham (Yam), 14 Ryan Marmont (KTM), 15 Cody Gilmore (Kaw), 16 Bruce Rutherford (Kaw), 17 Travis Bright (Hon), 18 Dakota Tedder (Kaw), 19 Christian Craig (Hon), 20 Topher Ingalls (Hon).
SERIES STANDINGS after 1 (of 8) rounds: 1 Hansen 25 points, 2 Tickle 22, 3 Rattray 20, 4 Davalos 18, 5 Seely 16, 6 Morais 15, 7 Roczen 14, 8 Baker 13, 9 Paluzzi 12, 10 Tomac 11, 11 Balbi 10, 12 Evans 9, 13 Cunningham 8, 14 Marmont 7, 15 Gilmore 6, 16 Rutherford 5, 17 Bright 4, 18 Tedder 3, 19 Craig 2, 20 Ingalls 1,...
NEXT ROUND: January 15 – Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.